St. Hedwig weathering roof damage, rumors of demolition

It seems some good may have arisen from recent rumors that Toledo’s historic St. Hedwig Catholic Church, 2916 Lagrange St., would be demolished, stemming from concern after its roof lost some shingles.

Not only has the Catholic Diocese of Toledo confirmed St. Hedwig “is not being torn down,” said Sally Oberski, communications director for the diocese, a group of 20 grade school alumni and nearby residents are starting a grassroots crusade to breathe new life into this North Toledo neighborhood landmark.

A Facebook page called “Save St. Hedwig Catholic Church” seems to have initiated the stir — at least online — when it posted Jan. 22: “We have received reports that Saint Hedwig will be torn down. The ceiling over the main altar fell down a few months ago and has not been repaired.”

This spurred a wave of unsubstantiated worry and rumors with one Facebook account offering that the City of Toledo was demanding repairs the church couldn’t afford. According to City Commissioner of Inspection Chris Zervos that isn’t true, as he said his department has made no contact with St. Hedwig.

St. Hedwig merged with nearby St. Adalbert in 2010, becoming one parish. The St. Hedwig church structure has largely remained closed since 2012, used only for special occasions, like weddings, funerals and baptisms. Shingle damage recently resulted in the church closing its doors temporarily, in the name of public safety.

Upon learning of the shingle damage, the Rev. Jacob Gordon, the church’s pastor, immediately scheduled a meeting to discuss the church’s condition with Bishop Daniel Thomas, Oberski said, but that appointment has been postponed due to unrelated circumstances. Oberski said Gordon will be willing to publicly discuss news concerning St. Hedwig once he knows more definitively what the next step might be.

In the meantime, rumors swirled online and also within the tightknit Polish Village community.

“All this about a roof falling in, it’s not true,” said Tom Jesionowski, a St. Adalbert/St. Hedwig parishioner. “There’s also stories going on that the roof is costing $100,000 to a half million, and that’s not true. I talked to [Gordon] on Sunday, and once the weather clears up, he’s going to get three bids on the roof.”

After watching the gossip spread, former St. Hedwig School student Racheal Nadrasik of Toledo also met with Gordon to get the facts, and now is hoping to start a drive to help the church make its necessary repairs.

“Everybody’s all up in arms that the church was shut down, but at the same time, no one’s doing anything to save it,” Nadrasik said. “So, my friends and I decided to take it upon ourselves.”

On Feb. 6, she and a group of 20 St. Hedwig School alumni from 1998-2003, plus some neighborhood friends, plan to meet with Gordon to tour the church, assess damage and take photos — all with the intention of starting an online campaign to raise funds for St. Hedwig’s necessary repairs.

“[St. Hedwig is] just gorgeous, and so rich in history,” Nadrasik said. “Basically all it needs is a new roof. None of the rumors are true. We’re hoping if we can get the word out there, and get our community back together and tell everybody what Toledo is really about, that we’ll get people to donate time and materials. We’re trying to have faith, and I know a lot of original Polish residents have passed away or moved out of the area, but we can still do this. There’s no reason why we can’t do it.”

Nadrasik attended St. Hedwig School from preschool through eighth grade, and she wants to give back to a place that gave her so much. The diocese closed the school in 2005.

“We all need to pay back our debts, and this is the least I could do,” Nadrasik said.

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Pounds: The new cabinet

Toledo Mayor-elect D. Michael Collins announced the names of his proposed cabinet members Dec. 16. It is a list of familiar names — some too familiar — with a mix of new talent.

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The top of his list does not require City Council approval. As a follow-through to his promise to foster mentoring, Collins has paired former Carty Finkbeiner Chief of Staff Robert Reinbolt (returning as chief of staff) with Joel Mazur, from the City of Toledo’s Division of Environmental Services, as assistant chief of staff. Reinbolt first worked for the city in 1980. No one questions his experience, but it will be interesting to see how the dynamic with his younger assistant will play out as Toledo faces 2014’s challenges.

We are proud to continue to chronicle the rise of Lisa Renee Ward. The former operator of the city’s best political blog, Glass City Jungle, worked as an editor with Toledo Free Press before making the leap to One Government Center as a legislative aide to City Council. She has been named an executive assistant to Collins and his public information officer. We have great faith in her insight, contextual knowledge of Toledo politics and sense of fairness.

We’re saying an extra prayer for you, Lisa.

We are pleased with two specific appointments.

Matt Sapara of the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, will join the administration as director of business and economic development. Sapara was chief operating officer and director of development for the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority and the business community should be supportive of his appointment.

We are also in sync with the appointment of Toledo City Councilman George Sarantou, who served 11 years as the chairman of Council’s Finance Committee, as director of finance. We have consistently endorsed and supported Sarantou and have confidence in his stewardship of public funds.

We wish Collins and his staff the best of luck as they forge their new team and try to keep Toledo moving. There is demonstrable momentum at stake, and we want to see this new administration build on that.

Other appointees:

Department of Neighborhoods: Tom Kroma

Police Department: William Moton

Department of Public Service: William Franklin

Department of Public Utilities: Robin Whitney

Thomas F. Pounds is president and publisher of Toledo Free Press and Toledo Free Press Star. Contact him at tpounds@toledofreepress.com.

It’s spring cleaning time — for code enforcement

If you live near the West Toledo Branch Library, you might open your door today to find a sign hanging from the knob.

It will either praise you or reprimand you for the condition of your property. The signs mark the beginning of Toledo’s first “Spring Sweep,” a program that deploys code inspectors to concentrated neighborhoods to educate homeowners about programs available to improve their properties.

City officials said at a press conference yesterday that the intent is not to punish homeowners who can’t afford to keep their houses well maintained.

“Ultimately it depends on the property owner,” said Chris Zervos, director of inspections for the city. “It’s never been cheap and it’s never been easy to own property but it is the American dream.”

Mayor Mike Bell told reporters that this program is about making neighborhoods great that are “right on the edge of being great.”

Code inspectors will hand out information about a number of government programs that can help fund home improvements, as well as information about discounts at private local businesses.

Prior to this program, many property maintenance code violations were complaint-based, Zervos said. The new effort is a proactive approach.

Code inspectors will conduct the program until June 20. Starting off in the Library Village neighborhood, the crew will later move to Arlington/Burroughs, Secor Gardens, Oakdale/Ravine Park and North Toledo/Point Place areas.